Hope Solo wants a chance at France 2019

Hope Solo, here with husband Jerramy Stevens, wants to play in the next World Cup. (Photo Copyright Denise McCooey/Prost Amerika)

During an interview on Showtime’s 60 Minutes Sports, suspended U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo hinted that she would like the opportunity to be the team’s goalkeeper at the next World Cup in France.

“No one beat me out physically,” Solo told Norah O’Donnell. “For me not to have the opportunity to see if there is another goalkeeper better than me — that doesn’t seem right.”

Two major obstacles are standing in Solo’s way. One is right shoulder replacement surgery she underwent last year. Solo showed off her scar to O’Donnell and said her recovery is well ahead of schedule. “I expect to be back and able to perform at a high level within the next year,” she added.

The other obstacle is whether U.S. Soccer wants her back on the team. Her six-month suspension is set to expire later this month, but there has been no indication the team is prepared to call her back in. Solo said on 60 Minutes Sports that she has not heard from any U.S. Soccer staff members since she was suspended. That includes head coach Jill Ellis and U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati.

Ellis was asked in October if she had given any thought to whether or not Solo would be brought back and relied flatly: “I haven’t given it any thought.”

During the segment, O’Donnell said that during their interview, Solo was critical of Ellis’s leadership and tactical skills as head coach. Those comments were not aired as part of the segment.